[NAS] And The Answer Is...

TV Programme: The New Adventures Of Superman
Season: 2
Episode: 22
Date I watched this episode: 24/10/2009
Time since I last watched this programme: 3 days.

This episode marked the end to the finale day, and a great end it was. While not quite as dramatic as the episode I'd watched previously ([SPK] "Smoke And Mirrors"), it was a fitting end to the second season of this show. As you'll have read, this season has had its ups and downs, but overall it has had the overarching theme of Lois and Clark coming together, and this was really just the climax of all that.

Amazingly, in addition to all that drama there was also a very thrilling main story to the episode, somewhat reminiscent of [SMV] "Rogue" (and perhaps closer to home, "Top Copy" from this season). It was a really great idea to add in the continuity with "Tempus Fugitive", definitely the best episode of the second season as a whole. Given that premise, the stakes were raised higher than they usually are, with both Clark's secret and his parents at risk. The latter feature heavily in the episode, much more than usual, and see Lois and Clark's love reflected in their own.

We get to see Nigel St John again here, although he dies during the episode. He's a great character, but also great is Jason Mayzik, who is the executor of most of the evil plans here. Mayzik is absolutely loving his role, making it all the more enjoyable to hate him as a great villain. In fact, his subtle murder of Nigel is one of the most well-crafted scenes of the ep.

At the culmination of the story, it seems all is lost. Clark, Martha and Jonathan are stuck in the steel cell, with no way out, and then suddenly, Clark is back, and manages to break free. This fast turnaround, and the pleading from Clark for Lois to still be alive, is heartwarming and thrilling at the same time.

Perry and Jimmy don't feature much in the ep. In fact they talk at the end about being "supporting characters in a TV show that's only about them" a bit of a tongue-in-cheek remark from the writers. Unfortunately I doubt their roles will become any bigger next season.

As mentioned before though, the episode was dominated by the love situation between Lois and Clark. Having declared their love in the previous episode, Clark keeps trying to tell Lois that he is Superman, but doesn't have much luck. Trying to hide from her though, only makes things worse when he is thought to be a burglar. However, the true nature of Lois's love for Clark is seen when she sacrifices herself for him. It's a beautiful moment when she tells him "everything is going to be alright" and then goes haring off. She knows that Clark needs her, and she is prepared to do anything it takes to see things return to normal. At the time the freezing takes place, she has just realised that Clark is Superman, and in that moment is completely satisfied with her decision.

The episode culminated with that beautiful final scene, with the storm and lightning to mark the occasion. Clark shouts to some deity to give him a break, as he has been trying this all day. But he goes through and makes the proposal, while the scene fades out to crescendoing music and the storm outside. It leaves two questions open for next season - will she accept, and will she let on that she knows he is Superman? Surely she must sooner or later!

Overall this was, as mentioned above, a fitting climax to the story that has been building since the middle of the season. In the context of the show, it's pretty much the best it could have been, but didn't fill me with quite the same sense of excitement as certain other episodes I watched on Finale Day 7. However what I am excited about is leaving this programme to the side for a while and focussing on getting back to the much more thrilling programme of Smallville. One day though I'll be coming back to the season 3 premiere (which answers the question with "...We Have A Lot To Talk About") and hopefully a fresh new outlook which avoids some of the problems we've had during this second season.